Protective shoe for birds

ABSTRACT

A protective shoe for birds accommodate toes and/or pads of a bird&#39;s foot and includes a shoe body having an upper surface and a sole, and defining bird toe covers corresponding in number to the number of front toes of the bird&#39;s foot. An ankle cuff is connected to the shoe body and has an ankle closure system formed to secure about an ankle of the bird&#39;s foot. A closure tab is connected to the shoe body and has a closure system formed to tighten the shoe body to the bird&#39;s foot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,239, filed Sep. 3, 2012; theprior application is herewith incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention lies in the field of bird protection. The presentdisclosure relates to a protective shoe for birds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Poultry and other multi-toed birds are prone to foot injuries that leadto “bumblefoot,” an infection that is difficult to cure and often leadsto infection of the foot bone and death. A device is desirable toestablish a level of protection for the bird against bumblefoot andafford prompt healing to existing foot wounds while providing grip and arange of motion necessary for mobility, roosting, and perching. However,no device exists that is worn to protect a bird's foot and is adaptedfor protecting the feet of birds that perch, climb, or roost. Singleshoe devices shaped and configured for affixture on the leg of a largebird such as an emu, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,722 to Jones,are not intended to provide the protection and cushioning necessary forinhibiting and healing of bumblefoot, do not facilitate healing ofwounds on toes or pads of feet, and lack the flexible configurationnecessary to provide mobility to multi-toed birds who perch, climb orroost.

Thus, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art systems,designs, and processes as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a protective shoe for birds that overcomes thehereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices andmethods of this general type and that prevents bumblefoot from forming,provides a barrier against dirt and moisture to enable healing of footwounds, contains topical medication to facilitate wound care, andprovides cushioning of wounded feet. The unique features that enhancedurability and functionality of the shoe include a construction toprotect the bird's foot while providing grip and the range of motionnecessary for mobility, roosting, and perching. This shoe may be used onany multi-toed and/or webbed-toed birds such as poultry, fowl,psittacines, and raptors.

The protective shoe disclosed protects the feet of multi-toed birds. Itcan be used to prevent bumblefoot from forming, to enable the healing ofexisting foot or toe wounds, to facilitate wound care, and to providecushioning of wounded feet. The shoe is durable and has the flexibleconfiguration and grip necessary to enable birds to free-range, climb,perch, and roost while it is being worn.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a bird shoe to accommodate at least oneof toes and pads of a bird's foot, the shoe comprising a shoe bodyhaving an upper surface and a sole and defining bird toe coverscorresponding in number to the number of front toes of the bird's foot;an ankle cuff connected to the shoe body and having an ankle closuresystem formed to secure about an ankle of the bird's foot, and a closuretab connected to the shoe body and having a closure system formed totighten the shoe body to the bird's foot.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the bird toe coversinclude at least one of an open toe sleeve, open toe sleeves, a closedtoe sleeve, closed toe sleeves, and a toe slit.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the bird toecovers include three toe slits or toe sleeves on a front of the shoebody and one toe slit or toe sleeve on a rear of the shoe body.

In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the bird toecovers include two toe slits or toe sleeves on a front of the shoe bodyand two toe slits or toe sleeves on a rear of the shoe body.

In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the bird toecovers are open toe sleeves set to a length that allows nail tips of thebird to be exposed and, thereby, provide secure grip when climbing andperching.

In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the bird toecovers include a linked set of toe coverings on a front of the shoe bodyand one toe slit or toe sleeve on a rear of the shoe body.

In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the anklecuff has a first end attached to at least one of the upper surface andthe sole or in between the upper surface and the sole and a second endleft free.

In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the closuretab has a first end attached to at least one of the upper surface andthe sole or in between the upper surface and the sole and a second endleft free.

In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the anklecuff is attached to at least one of the top of the body and the sole ofthe body.

In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the shoe bodyis selected from at least one of the group consisting of neoprene,denim, canvas duck, leather, and nylon.

In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, the anklecuff is selected from at least one of the group consisting of neoprene,denim, canvas duck, leather, and nylon.

In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, the anklecuff is at least one of snaps, buttons, and hook-and-loop closures.

In accordance with again an additional feature of the invention, theclosure tab is selected from at least one of the group consisting ofneoprene, denim, canvas duck, leather, and nylon.

In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the closuretab is at least one of snaps, buttons, and hook-and-loop closures.

In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, the birdshoe is two shoes, a left shoe and a right shoe.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided amethod for protecting a foot of a bird with a shoe includes placing ashoe body onto a bird's foot by slipping at least one of the bird'sfront toes into at least one front toe cover, wrapping an ankle cuffaround the bird's leg adjacent the bird's foot, feeding at least oneback toe through at least one rear toe cover, and securing the anklecuff at the bird's leg with an ankle closure system.

In accordance with another mode of the invention, the ankle closuresystem has opposite ends and is secured to the bird by marrying theopposite sides of the ankle closure system to each other.

In accordance with a further mode of the invention, a closure tab istightened about the bird's foot to secure the shoe body to the bird'sfoot.

In accordance with an added mode of the invention, the closure tab issecured at one end to the shoe body and has an opposite end that issecured to the bird's foot by marrying one opposite end to the shoebody.

In accordance with an additional mode of the invention, the at least onefront toe cover is a plurality of front toe covers corresponding innumber to the number of front toes of the bird's foot and the shoe bodyis placed onto a bird's foot by slipping each of the bird's front toesinto the at least one front toe cover.

In accordance with yet another mode of the invention, the at least onerear toe cover is a plurality of rear toe covers corresponding in numberto the number of rear toes of the bird's foot and the shoe body isplaced onto a bird's foot by slipping each of the bird's rear toes intothe at least one rear toe cover.

In accordance with a concomitant mode of the invention, the placing,wrapping, feeding, and securing steps are carried out to place a shoebody on each of the bird's feet.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a protective shoe for a bird, it is, nevertheless, not intended to belimited to the details shown because various modifications andstructural changes may be made therein without departing from the spiritof the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of theclaims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments ofthe invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so asnot to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Additional advantages and other features characteristic of the presentinvention will be set forth in the detailed description that follows andmay be apparent from the detailed description or may be learned bypractice of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Still otheradvantages of the invention may be realized by any of theinstrumentalities, methods, or combinations particularly pointed out inthe claims.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, which are not true to scale, and which, together with thedetailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of thespecification, serve to illustrate further various embodiments and toexplain various principles and advantages all in accordance with thepresent invention. Advantages of embodiments of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description of theexemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a leftbird shoe with three front-facing toe sleeves and one rear toe slit in aclosed orientation;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the left bird shoe of FIG. 1 in anopen orientation

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a top side of the left birdshoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of abird shoe with three front-facing slits and one rear toe slit in aclosed orientation;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of aleft bird shoe with two front-facing toe sleeves and two rear toesleeves in a closed orientation;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of still another exemplary embodimentof a left bird shoe with two front-facing slits and two rear toe slitsin a closed orientation;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of yet another exemplary embodiment ofa left bird shoe with closed front-facing webbed toe sleeve and one reartoe slit in a closed orientation;

FIG. 8 is a photo of a top perspective view of a left bird shoe of anexemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 with three front-facing webbed slits andone rear toe slit in a closed orientation;

FIG. 9 is a photo of a bottom perspective view of a smaller version of aright bird shoe of an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 with threefront-facing webbed slits and one rear toe slit in a closed orientation;

FIG. 10 is a photo of a bottom perspective view of a smaller version ofa right bird shoe of an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 and larger thanthe shoe of FIG. 9 with three front-facing webbed slits and one rear toeslit in a closed orientation;

FIG. 11 is a photo of a top perspective view of an exemplary embodimentof the left bird shoe of FIG. 1 with three front-facing toe sleeves andone rear toe slit in an open orientation;

FIG. 12 is a photo of a top perspective view of the left bird shoe ofFIG. 11 in a closed orientation;

FIG. 13 is a photo of a bottom perspective view of the left bird shoe ofFIG. 11 in the closed orientation;

FIG. 14 is a photo of a bottom perspective view of the left bird shoe ofFIG. 11 in the open orientation;

FIG. 15 is a photo of the left bird shoe of FIGS. 11 to 14 closed on abird's foot; and

FIG. 16 is a photo of a right bird shoe of the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 8 to 1 closed on a bird's webbed foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases usedherein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide anunderstandable description of the invention. While the specificationconcludes with claims defining the features of the invention that areregarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from a consideration of the following description inconjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numeralsare carried forward.

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the likemay be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from anotherentity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actualsuch relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms“comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intendedto cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not includeonly those elements but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An elementproceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints,preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to allnumeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These termsgenerally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). In many instances these terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

Herein various embodiments of the present invention are described. Inmany of the different embodiments, features are similar. Therefore, toavoid redundancy, repetitive description of these similar features maynot be made in some circumstances. It shall be understood, however, thatdescription of a first-appearing feature applies to the later describedsimilar feature and each respective description, therefore, is to beincorporated therein without such repetition.

A bird shoe described herein is made up of a body 1 and an ankle cuff 2.FIGS. 1 through 7 show various exemplary embodiments of the bird shoeand its elements. With regard to FIGS. 1 to 3, these elements areconnected by attaching the ankle cuff 2 to the top and sole 4 of thebody 1 (or by making the ankle cuff 2 integral with one or the other). Aclosure tab 3 also can be provided. The body 1 has a correspondingnumber of toe sleeves in the front or back to accommodate the particularbird's toes and the body 1 can be made with toe covers that include toesleeves 5 and/or toe slits 6 (shown with dashed lines). The body 1 canbe made with a top and sole 4 of one or more layers of various rip-,tear-, and/or puncture-resistant materials, such as, but not limited to,neoprene, denim, canvas duck, leather, nylon, but neoprene is aparticularly good selection. The sole 4 or just the outer side of thesole 4 (see, e.g., FIG. 9, 13, or 14) can be non-slip or texturedneoprene, denim, canvas duck, leather, nylon, but neoprene is aparticularly good selection. The ankle cuff 2 can be made of variousmaterials, such as, but not limited to, neoprene, denim, canvas duck,leather, nylon, but neoprene is a particularly good selection. The anklecuff 2 in an exemplary embodiment is sewn onto the body, but can besecured with various methods, such as, but not limited to, snaps,button, hook-and-loop closures, but sewing is a particularly goodselection. The body 1 and ankle cuff 2 contain the corresponding numberof toe sleeves 5 or slits 6 to accommodate the particular bird's backtoes. The ankle cuff 2 contains an ankle closure system 7 such as, butnot limited to, snaps, button, hook-and-loop closures, but hook-and-loopclosures are a particularly good selection. The closure tab 3 can bemade of various materials, such as, but not limited to, neoprene, denim,canvas duck, leather, nylon, but neoprene is a particularly goodselection. The closure tab 3 contains one part of a closure system 8 andthe top side of the body 3 contains the other part of the closure system9, such as, but not limited to, snaps, button, hook-and-loop closures,but hook-and-loop is a particularly good selection. The ankle closuresystem 7 and the closure tab 3 are sewn onto the body 1 but can besecured with various methods, such as, but not limited to, snaps,button, hook-and-loop closures, but sewing is a particularly goodselection.

The location, shape, length and number of toe sleeves 5 or slits 6 onthe shoe are dependent on the foot configuration of the particular bird.If the shoe is for a chicken, raptor, or other bird with threefront-facing toes and one rear-facing toe, then the shoe is configuredwith three slits 6 or toe sleeves 5 on the front and one slit 6 orsleeve 5 on the back (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 to 4). If the shoe is for apsittacine, owl, or other bird with two front facing toes and tworear-facing toes, then the shoe is configured with two front sleeves 5or toe slits 6 and two rear sleeves 5 or slits 6 (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and6). If the shoe is for a bird with webbed feet or a foot that needsprotection from moisture, then the shoe is configured with an open orclosed front toe sleeve 5 shaped to accommodate the webbed foot thereinand a toe slit 6 or sleeve 5 in the back, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 16. The left foot of the shoes is depicted inFIG. 7 for brevity because the left and right shoes are mirror images ofeach other.

Described now are exemplary embodiments of the present invention.Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first,particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of aleft bird shoe with three front-facing toe sleeves 5 and a slit 6 for arear toe in a closed configuration. This style is used for birds havingthree front toes and one rear toe, such as chickens and raptors, whoneed coverage of both toes and the foot pad. The open sleeves 5 arelengthened appropriately so that the nail tips are exposed to enable thebird to scratch and to provide secure grip when jumping and roosting. Asstated above, the right shoe is a mirror image and is, therefore, notdepicted. The junction of the top and sole 4 portions of the body 1within the closed closure tab 3 in FIG. 1 is not connected to form apocket opening into which the bird's foot is guided to install the shoe.The direction that the bird's foot traverses when installing the shoe isindicated with the large arrow D in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows the left bird shoe of FIG. 1 with the three front-facingsleeves 5 and the one 6 rear toe slit in an open orientation. The shoeis placed onto the bird's foot by slipping the bird's foot in thedirection D and inserting bird's front toes into the respective sleeves5. As the ankle cuff 2 is wrapped around the bird's leg, the back toe isfed through the rear toe slit 6. The ankle closure system 7 on the anklecuff 2 is used to secure the shoe to the bird by marrying the oppositesides of the ankle closure system 7 to each other. The shoe is tightenedand closed upon the bird's foot by wrapping the closure tab 3 from thesole to the top side and marrying the two sides of the closure system 8and 9. As stated above, the right shoe is a mirror image and is,therefore, not depicted.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the left bird shoe of FIGS. 1 and 2 withthe three front-facing toe sleeves 5 and the one rear toe slit 6. As canbe seen from FIG. 3, the body 1 comprises the sole 4 attached to the topof the shoe. The ankle cuff 2 contains the rear toe slit 6 and the ankleclosure system 7. One end of the ankle cuff 2 (or a mid-portion) isattached to both the top side of the body and the sole 4 (or to one orthe other or in between) and the other is left free. With regard to theclosure system 3, one side 9 is attached to the upper side of the top ofthe shoe, to the lower side of the sole 4, or between the sole 4 and thetop of the shoe and the other is left free to close the opening intowhich the bird's foot is inserted.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a left bird shoe with threefront-facing slits 6 and one rear toe slit 6 in a closed configuration.This style is used for birds with three front toes and one rear toe,such as chickens and raptors, who need only foot pad coverage. As statedabove, the right shoe is a mirror image and is, therefore, not depicted.As above, the junction of the top and sole portions of the body 1 withinthe closed closure tab 3 in FIG. 4 is not connected to form a pocketopening into which the bird's foot is guided to install the shoe. Thedirection that the bird's foot traverses when installing the shoe isindicated with the large arrow D in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a left bird shoe with two front-facing toesleeves 5 and two rear toe sleeves 5 in a closed configuration. Thisstyle is used for bird with two front toes and two back toes, such aspsitticines and owls, who need toes and foot pad covered. The opensleeves 5 are set to a respective length that allows the nail tips to beexposed and provide secure grip when climbing and perching. As statedabove, the right shoe is a mirror image and is, therefore, not depicted.The junction of the top and sole portions of the body 1 within theclosed closure tab 3 in FIG. 5 is not connected to form a pocket openinginto which the bird's foot is guided to install the shoe. The directionthat the bird's foot traverses when installing the shoe is indicatedwith the large arrow D in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a bird shoe with two front-facing slits 6and two rear toe slits 6 in a closed configuration similar to theembodiment of FIG. 6. This style, however, is used for birds with twofront toes and two rear toes, such as psittacines and owls, who onlyneed foot pad coverage. As stated above, the right shoe is a mirrorimage and is, therefore, not depicted.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a left shoe with joined toesleeves 5 for water fowl, which have webbed feet, and chickens who havewounds that require protection from moisture, the shoe being in anentirely closed configuration. The toe slit 6 in the ankle cuff 2accommodates the rear toe. As stated above, the right shoe is a mirrorimage and is, therefore, not depicted.

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 show an exemplary embodiment of a left shoe withjoined toe sleeves 5 for water fowl, which have webbed feet, this shoebeing in an open configuration. In particular, two connection areas 10securing the top and sole of the shoe form three toe openings 11 throughwhich the bird's toes can protrude. These connection areas 10 togetherdefine a linked set of toe coverings that can be open as shown orentirely closed (not illustrated). Another connection area 12 can beprovided at the foot entrance if desired to define the extent 13 of theopening of the foot entrance. The toe slit 6 in the ankle cuff 2accommodates the rear toe. As stated above, the right shoe is a mirrorimage and is, therefore, not depicted. The difference between theconfigurations of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 is the size of the foot to whichthe shoe corresponds. Each of the configuration is for a water fowl(i.e., duck-like avians). The smallest, shown in FIG. 9, can be for amallard, for example. The next larger size, shown in FIG. 10, can be fora muscovy duck, for example. Finally, the largest size, shown in FIG. 8,can be for, e.g., a goose. Each is shown as either the left or rightfoot but, if desired, each can comprise a left and right pair. Theconnection areas 10 are in an exemplary embodiment equal in size.However, if desired, as shown in FIG. 8, the lengths of the connectionareas 10 can be customized to fit the particular bird's foot.

FIGS. 11 to 14 show an exemplary embodiment of a left bird shoe similarto FIG. 1 with three front-facing toe sleeves 5 and a slit 6 for a reartoe. FIGS. 11 and 12 show the top of the shoe in the open and closedconfigurations, respectively, and FIGS. 13 and 14, show the bottom ofthe shoe in the closed and open configurations, respectively. This styleis used for birds having three front toes and one rear toe, such aschickens and raptors, who need coverage of both the toes and the footpad. The open sleeves 5 are lengthened appropriately so that the nailtips are exposed to enable the bird to scratch and to provide securegrip when jumping and roosting. As stated above, the right shoe is amirror image and is, therefore, not depicted. As above, the junction ofthe top and sole 4 portions of the body 1 within the closed closure tab3 in FIGS. 12 and 13 is not connected to form a pocket opening intowhich the bird's foot is guided to install the shoe.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the shoe of FIGS. 11to 14 installed on a foot of a chicken. FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplaryconfiguration of the shoe of FIGS. 8 to 10 installed on a foot of aduck.

In any embodiment described herein, the seams on the inside of the openstoes can be sized to provide both adequate space for toes and structureto enable circulation of air. Such a configuration provides spacesufficient for bandaging and padding of a wound, for example, with acotton ball or two.

The bird shoes described herein provide an effective barrier and cushionbetween surfaces and the bird's foot. This flexible shoe can be worn bybirds to prevent bumblefoot from forming, to provide a barrier againstdirt and moisture to enable healing of foot wounds, to contain topicalmedication to facilitate wound care, and to provide cushioning ofwounded feet. The unique features that enhance durability andfunctionality of the shoe include a construction that protects thebird's foot while providing grip and the range of motion necessary formobility, roosting and perching. These shoes may be used on anymulti-toed and/or webbed-toed birds such as poultry, fowl, psittacinesand raptors.

It is noted that various individual features of the inventive processesand systems may be described only in one exemplary embodiment herein.The particular choice for description herein with regard to a singleexemplary embodiment is not to be taken as a limitation that theparticular feature is only applicable to the embodiment in which it isdescribed. All features described herein are equally applicable to,additive, or interchangeable with any or all of the other exemplaryembodiments described herein and in any combination or grouping orarrangement. In particular, use of a single reference numeral herein toillustrate, define, or describe a particular feature does not mean thatthe feature cannot be associated or equated to another feature inanother drawing figure or description. Further, where two or morereference numerals are used in the figures or in the drawings, thisshould not be construed as being limited to only those embodiments orfeatures, they are equally applicable to similar features or not areference numeral is used or another reference numeral is omitted.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate theprinciples, exemplary embodiments, and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art and the above-described embodiments should beregarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it shouldbe appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bird shoe to accommodate at least one of toesand pads of a bird's foot, the shoe comprising: a shoe body: having anupper surface and a sole; and defining three bird front toe covers eachhaving a cylindrical toe sleeve with an open distal end to permit atleast the nail tip of the toe within the toe sleeve to extend out fromand past the distal end; an ankle cuff connected to the shoe body andhaving an ankle closure system formed to secure about an ankle of thebird's foot; and a closure tab connected to the shoe body and having aclosure system formed to tighten the shoe body to the bird's foot. 2.The bird shoe according to claim 1, wherein the shoe body has a rear andwhich further comprises one rear toe sleeve on the rear of the shoebody.
 3. The bird shoe according to claim 1, wherein the bird toe coversare open toe sleeves set to a length that allows nail tips of the birdto be exposed and, thereby, provide secure grip when climbing andperching.
 4. The bird shoe according to claim 1, wherein the bird toecovers include a linked set of toe coverings on a front of the shoe bodyand one toe slit or toe sleeve on a rear of the shoe body.
 5. The birdshoe according to claim 1, wherein the ankle cuff has a first endattached to at least one of the upper surface and the sole or in betweenthe upper surface and the sole and a second end left free.
 6. The birdshoe according to claim 1, wherein the closure tab has a first endattached to at least one of the upper surface and the sole or in betweenthe upper surface and the sole and a second end left free.
 7. The birdshoe according to claim 1, wherein the ankle cuff is attached to atleast one of the top of the shoe body and the sole of the shoe body. 8.The bird shoe according to claim 1, wherein the shoe body is selectedfrom at least one of the group consisting of neoprene, denim, canvasduck, leather, and nylon.
 9. The bird shoe according to claim 1, whereinthe ankle cuff is selected from at least one of the group consisting ofneoprene, denim, canvas duck, leather, and nylon.
 10. The bird shoeaccording to claim 1, wherein the ankle cuff is at least one of snaps,buttons, and hook-and-loop closures.
 11. The bird shoe according toclaim 1, wherein the closure tab is selected from at least one of thegroup consisting of neoprene, denim, canvas duck, leather, and nylon.12. The bird shoe according to claim 1, wherein the closure tab is atleast one of snaps, buttons, and hook-and-loop closures.
 13. The birdshoe according to claim 1, wherein the bird shoe is two shoes, a leftshoe and a right shoe.